The new casino project planned for Elk Grove, California, now has a name – Sky River Casino.
Officials for the Wilton Rancheria Tribe and Boyd Gaming Corporation held a groundbreaking ceremony at a former mall property on Tuesday.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this month. Boyd Gaming will develop and manage the project on behalf of the Wilton Tribe.
The two parties said it will open to the public in the second half of 2022.
Sky River will be the closest casino to both Sacramento and the South Bay Area, as it will be located 15 miles south of downtown Sacramento.
The casino is slated to have up to 2,000 slot machines and more than 80 table games.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, officials said 1,500 construction workers will build the resort, which will bring 2,000 jobs to the city after it opens.
The Tribe said it will invest $186m in the area over next two decades, with the funds to go toward education and other public works.
Wilton Tribal Chair Jesus Tarango has described the drive to build a casino as a “transformative project that will provide resources to invest in housing, education and healthcare for our more than 800 members; to preserve our language and culture, and to give back to the community for decades to come.”
Keith Smith, president and CEO of Boyd Gaming, told attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony that Sky River will be both popular and profitable, and will provide jobs for Tribal members and local residents.
The casino project will help bring self-sufficiency to the Wilton Rancheria people, Smith added.
